Pouring spout for cans

ABSTRACT

A reusable pouring spout for paint cans and similar receptacles wherein a channel structure opening radially outward, made of resilient material, can be sprung into snug engagement with the rim formation of a can, and a curved lip element extends outwardly from the channel structure. The pouring spout may be removed from the can by contracting the channel structure.

United States Patent [191 Weir, Jr.'et al. 3

POURING SPOUT FOR CANS Inventors: Casper J. Weir, Jr., Rt. 3, Box 215-B,San Luis Obispo, Calif. 9340!; Fred Keyes, 22693 Woodridge, Hayward,Calif. 94541 Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 Appl. No.: 347,227

US. Cl. 222/570 Int. Cl B65d 5/74 Field of Search 222/570, 569; 220/90,90.6;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1969 Spencer 222/570 [451 Dec.10, 1974 10/1972 Olsson .L.222/570 5/1973 Marques ..222/57O PrimaryExaminer-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Huebner & Worrel [57] ABSTRACT A reusablepouring spout for paint cans and similar receptacles wherein a channelstructure opening radially outward, made of resilient material, can besprung into snug engagement with the rim formation of a can, and acurved lip element extends outwardly from the channel structure. Thepouring spout may be removed from the can by contracting the channelstructure.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures POURING SPOUT FOR CANS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The conventional paint can embodies a rim formation whichincludes an annular channel opening upwardly for the reception of adownwardly extending apron on the can top. In the course of pouringpaint from the can, the flow path crosses the open channel, with aresulting deposit of paint in the channel. It is a common practice topour paint from a can into another can or receptacle for mixing thepaint, or to pour a de sired quantity of paint into a receptacle moreconvenient for reception of a brush, or a roller, or to fill a sprayer.

In any event, the paint lodging in the open channel of the can presentsa messy situation, and is especially objectionable if the can is to beresealed by replacement of the top. The bulk of the paint in the channelcan be collected by a brush, but the area is smeared and a film of paintremains for a clean up with a cloth moist ened with paint thinner.

We are not aware of any alternative or of any prior devices which can beutilized with a can of the paint can type, enabling a convenient pouringto be accomplished while retaining the rim in clean condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a solutionof the problems outlined above. We utilize an annular base in the formof a channel structure opening horizontally outward. The structureincludes parallel upper and lower flanges joined by a vertical wall, inthe general plan form of a C ring, split at the rear, with a lip elementextending radially outward at the front. The structure is of a resilientmaterial. The base in repose is expanded to a diametric dimensiongreater than the parts of the can to be engaged. For installing, it iscontracted and slipped into the opening in the can. Upon release, thechannel structure of the base fits against one or more adjacent surfacesof the can channel, and forms a seal therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theupper portion of a can with our pouring spout installed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same, somewhat en-' larged.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sections illustrating differentassembly conditions.

FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The can 10 shown is a conventionalpaint can comprising a vertical annular wall 11 ordinarily made of sheetmetal. It has a rim formation I2 permanently at A pouring lip 28 extendsradially out from the base with a dished upward incline terminating in arelatively sharp edge 29. The lip is generated at opposite portions ofthe base as shown at 30 and 31, preferably at least apart, and curveswith the base around its junction therewith. A substantial arc of thecan is thus circumscribed so that even if it be tipped at a sharp anglefor pouring, the lip will confine the paint. The lip should projectradially outside the can.

The lip as illustrated is mounted on a ledge 32 of the upper flange 22,but could be formed as a homogeneous part of the base element.

The base is split diametrically opposite the center of the lip as seenat its ends 35 and 36. This provides a C ring effect.

The base and the lip function as an integral unit.

In making them, a material which is resilient should be employed.Polyethelene is especially suited for the purpose, as paint or otherliquid will not stick to it. Teflon or rubber is also satisfactory.Polyvinyl chloride can be used, but certain paints might stick to it,and some chemicals might attack it. Spring metal might be employed, butwould present some problems. Mention of these materials is by way ofexample only, and not of limitation.

We provide studs 38 and 39 at the free ends of the base which may begrasped to pull these ends together or inwardly and thus contract thebase for installing it in the can or removing it. Because of the stressimposed during this manipulation, we prefer to reinforce the endportions by an increased thickness as shown at 41 and 42. The studs maybe formed integral with the base, or may be threaded in, or cemented inshallow bores or sockets.

The structural design of our device in relation to a can is such thatwhen the base is contracted and installed in the rim area of the can itexpands tightly against adjacent surfaces of the can rim structure. Onecondition of assembly is illustrated in FIG. 3. The upper flange 22overlies the edge 40 of the can flange wall 15, and makes a tight sealtherewith at the intersection of the flange 22 and the vertical wall 24.The lower flange of the base makes close contact with the bottom wall 16of the can rim channel.

The adjacent ends 35 and 36 of the base are illustrated as closetogether. With this relationship it may be necessary when installing orremoving the spout to twist one or both of the ends inwardly in order toattain clearance for the base to be positioned. If the ends are spacedfarther apart, the contraction could be accomplished simply by pullingthem together. Instead'of the lugs 38 and 39, small holes could besimilarly located, and a spanner type of spring could be inserted andsqueezed to draw the ends toward each other.

It should be apparent that our pour spout is easily installed orremoved. Demonstration has shown that it is leak proof. Not only can theflow be conveniently directed, but the channel in the can rim arearemains free of paint. The spout can be used repeatedly, and transferredfrom a can of paint of one color to another. If made of the propermaterial, paint drains from it; in any event a minimum of cleaning orwiping off is sufficient. While it can be made in different sizes fordifferent cans, the quart size is probably the most popular, and thegallon size especially useful.

The description has dealt with paint cans and the handling of paint. Aspresently advised, this is probably the principal use. The device isadaptable, however, to various applications where liquids are packagedin cans' of generally similar configuration in the rim area.

In any cans where the interned edge 40 is not present, the pour spoutbase wall 24 of FIG. 3 will expand into close contact with the wall ofthe can channel, and our purpose still be achieved.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INvENTIoN Our pouring spout is adaptableto use with cans wherein the design and dimensions of the rim formationmay differ.

H6. 4 shows the assembly of the pouring spout with a can in which theupwardly opening channel of the rim formation is shallower than thevertical spacing of the pouring spout flanges 22 and 23. In this casethe vertical wall 24 of the base 21 seals against the vertical wall 15of the can. This is effective even though there is no contact with thetop or bottom surfaces of the can channel. ln this view the resiliencyof the pouring spout mateIial causes it to conform to the inner wall ofthe can channel even if the interned edge 40 is present.

P10. 5 illustrates a situation in which the channel of the rim formationof the can is deeper than the vertical spacing of the pouring spoutflanges 22 and 23. Here,

a seal will occur between the lower surface of the pouring spout flange22 and the upper portion of the can wall part 15, being forced intocontact by cam action of the rounded bottom of the can channel. Therelationship may be such that contact is lacking between adjacentvertical walls of pouring spout and can.

FIG. 6 illustrates that under the general conditions of FIG. 5 theresiliency of the pouring spout flange may result in expansion affordingcontact of the pouring spout flange with both the upper portion of thecan wall rim formation and the vertical surface thereof.

Although we have herein shown and described our invention in what wehave conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention.

What we claim is:

l. A pouring spout for cans which embody a rim area structure comprisingan annular channel of generally U-shaped section open at the top, formedof radially spaced outer and inner vertical walls joined by a bottomwall, the pouring spout comprising a base element of a generally C ringplan and of a generally U-shaped cross section opening horizontallyoutward, embodying generally parallel upper and lower flanges joined byan inner vertical annular wall, the upper and lower flanges being ofsufficient radial dimensions and spaced apart a distance adapting themto engage the top of the inner vertical wall of the can channel and thebottom wall of the latter respectively, the base element being formed ofa resilient material and the annular wall thereof having a diameter whenin repose greater than the diameter of the inner wall of thecan channeland contractable to provide clearance for the base element to beinserted and positioned for engagement with the can channel whereby uponrelease and expansion the base element will engage the can channel atthe top of the inner wall and the bottom thereof, thereby sealing offthe interior of the can from the external portion of the rim area, and adished lip on the base element projecting radially outward beyond therim area of the can, the lip being generated at opposite points on thebase element separated by at least and inclining from the points ofgeneration in uninterrupted curves which merge at their peak.

2. A pouring spout for cans which embody a rim area structure comprisingan annular channel of generally U-shaped section open at the top, formedof radially spaced outer and inner vertical walls joined by a bottomwall, the pouring spout comprising a base element of a generally C ringplan and of a generally U-shaped cross section opening horizontallyoutward, embodying generally parallel upper and lower flanges joined byan inner vertical annular wall, the base element being formed of aresilient material and the annular wall thereof having a diameter whenin repose greater than the diameter of the inner wall of the can channeland contractable to provide clearance for the base element to beinserted and positioned for engagement with the can channel whereby uponrelease and expansion an annular surface portion of the base elementwill engage an annular surface portion of the can channel, therebysealing off the interior of the can from the external portion of the rimarea, and -a dished lip on the base element projecting radially outwardbeyond the rim area of the can, the C ring plan of the base elementembodying separated adjacent ends generally diametrically opposite thelip, and means disposed on the base element in the region of theadjacent ends which may be manually operated to contract the baseelement for installing or removing the pouring spout in or from the can.

3. A pouring spout as defined in claim 2 in which the base elementincludes reinforcement in the region of each of the adjacent ends, andthe means to be manually operated are located on the reinforcements.

1. A pouring spout for cans which embody a rim area structure comprisingan annular channel of generally U-shaped section open at the top, formedof radially spaced outer and inner vertical walls joined by a bottomwall, the pouring spout comprising a base element of a generally C ringplan and of a generally Ushaped cross section opening horizontallyoutward, embodying generally parallel upper and lower flanges joined byan inner vertical annular wall, the upper and lower flanges being ofsufficient radial dimensions and spaced apart a distance adapting themto engage the top of the inner vertical wall of the can channel and thebottom wall of the latter respectively, the base element being formed ofa resilient material and the annular wall thereof having a diameter whenin repose greater than the diameter of the inner wall of the can channeland contractable to provide clearance for the base element to beinserted and positioned for engagement with the can channel whereby uponrelease and expansion the base element will engage the can channel atthe top of the inner wall and the bottom thereof, thereby sealing offthe interior of the can from the external portion of the rim area, and adished lip on the base element projecting radially outward beyond therim area of the can, the lip being generated at opposite points on thebase element separated by at least 180* and inclining from the points ofgeneration in uninterrupted curves which merge at their peak.
 2. Apouring spout for cans which embody a rim area structure comprising anannular channel of generally U-shaped section open at the top, formed ofradially spaced outer and inner vertical walls joined by a bottom wall,the pouring spout comprising a base element of a generally C ring planand of a generally U-shaped cross section opening horizontally outward,embodying generally parallel upper and lower flanges joined by an innervertical annular wall, the base element being formed of a resilientmaterial and the annular wall thereof having a diameter when in reposegreater than the diameter of the inner wall of the can channel andcontractable to provide clearance for the base element to be insertedand positioned for engagement with the can channel whereby upon releaseand expansion an annular surface portion of the base element will engagean annular surface portion of the can channel, thereby sealing off theinterior of the can from the external portion of the rim area, and adished lip on the base element projecting radially outward beyond therim Area of the can, the C ring plan of the base element embodyingseparated adjacent ends generally diametrically opposite the lip, andmeans disposed on the base element in the region of the adjacent endswhich may be manually operated to contract the base element forinstalling or removing the pouring spout in or from the can.
 3. Apouring spout as defined in claim 2 in which the base element includesreinforcement in the region of each of the adjacent ends, and the meansto be manually operated are located on the reinforcements.